Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

Square Enix have announced another sequel to Final Fantasy XIII...(But its not what you think)

Okay it is what you think but still its different to what we initially expected. Instead of conforming to expectations, Square Enix have announced a new title for the Final Fantasy XIII series called 'Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII'. So yes, its what we've expected, another sequel to FFXIII (which some will groan and shake their heads to whilst others will draw a smiley face). But its not called Final Fantasy XIII-3 and the experience of the game sounds completely different to what we've experienced to either XIII or XIII-2.

                     The logo for the announced entry to the ongoing tale of bloody cocoon and pulse etc.

So is it a sequel or spin off?

Well in a way it is a sequel in terms of it takes place hundreds of years later after XIII-2. But its being considered as a spin-off due to the title and the departure in terms of game play. Only time will tell. In a way some gamers are interested with the many changes involved for this game its brought hope. For me I would love a conclusion to the cliffhanger of XIII-2 but I guess only time will tell.

The plot of the story according to wikipedia is so far:

"Several hundred years following the ending of Final Fantasy XIII-2, Lightning awakens on a chain of islands known as Novus Partus, floating in the Sea of Chaos. The sprawling islands serve as a last refuge for humanity and the world which was Pulse, while the new Cocoon hovers in the sky above. With only thirteen days left until the world ends,Lightning must fight to save it"

Novus Partus is Latin for 'New Births' which is certainly the feeling we're getting from all the images and gameplay description given so far. 

So what do we know so far?

-The story takes place 100 years after XIII-2 finishes in a world, Novus Partus a world made up of four islands connected by a monorail in what's being described as a 'gothical, mechanical and fantasy' style. 

-Lightning will need to save the world in 13 days in real-time. Quests and missions can reverse the clock that counts down to Doomsday. Upon hearing this it sounds like L save the world a bit if your familiar with the Death Note series.

- Gameplay will depart from the previous two entries in terms of the ATB system. Lighting can finally be moved by the game player, able to attack, block in real time without the use of a menu. So goodbye pressing automatic x button that decides the whole entire gameplay.

-Character customization ~ So Lightning's costume can be changed altering her battle techniques and so forth. The image below shows a few of the ways Lightning's costume will change.

                                              Spot the difference puzzles!!!! Huzzah! ^^

- Time will play a huge role in this entry as well. Lightning will be able to use moves such as 'Overclock' to slow down time during a fight. This will be interesting to see how it plays out.

- Worlds will interchange between day and night as time passes. (I guess to give that feeling that Doomsday is approaching but its a great extra to the game)

- Lightning will be the only main character. So to those who hate her. I'm so sorry but you'd better skip this entry. (For those of you wanting to see Noel or Serah or that cute moogle forget it me thinks)

-It will be the last entry to the Lightning Saga (I think)

-The game will be released some point in 2013.

- More details to be released on September 4th so watch out!

                                                       'The World of Novus Partus Artwork'

No news on Final Fantasy Versus XIII

Square Enix have kindly requested their fans that they're being impatient and to wait for the game alittle longer. I mean honestly final fantasy fans. It's not like you've been waiting six years. What's another year or two to add to the wait? :) The only statement released being:

"I talked to Hashimoto-san about various things. It seems that Versus XIII won't be at TGS. They are concentrating all their resources into the conclusion of the Lightning saga and FFXIV"

You know Square Enix. If Noctis was your son to be born unto the gameplaying world and Lightning is your daughter. All I got to say is you've done a terrible job in showing love is not biased. Sorry Noctis. Lightning needs another story rehashed out the bag. You got to wait.

"BUT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR SIX YEAR!"

"Sorry but we need to focus on Lightning, she's got something special happening"

Regardless of that. Forget Versus XIII. Until there's a release date, pretend its on holiday. Put it on the back of your mind.

On top of that no Type-0 has been released overseas. So no change there as well.

In the meantime enjoy some more teasing of concept art of Noctis. 

To conclude...

Good news for Lightning Fans. Not so good news for people expecting other news. 

Adieu

TokyoDreamer9

Final Fantasy Versus XIII Cancelled Rumour

My thoughts on FFVERSUSXIII being canned 

First things first, I honestly believe this is just a rumour. I have my reasons which I will start saying in a moment. For those who don't know what Final Fantasy Versus XIII, you must be fairly new to the world of RPG gaming or been living under a rock if you've played Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts or any Square Enix related game. The game was first announced in 2006, a ridiculous time to announce a game that had just began development. Since then, only trailers and teasers have been released with no demo or gameplay tried. Since then Final Fantasy XIII has been released, Final Fantasy Agito has been renamed to Type-0 and also released (although a western release is still lacking) and also a sequel to XIII and a highly likely third sequel to be announced September 1st 2012 by the looks of things.

 The logo for Final Fantasy Versus XIII is highly fitting, a game that's gone to developmental sleep

Why I think Versus XIII has not been canned:

1. Six years of development time and teasing. With that amount of time, energy and costs that's like wasting 3 hours making an extravagant cake and then giving up before putting the dough mixture into the oven. I'm using a poor analogy but its just ridiculous. I was 13 years old when Versus XIII was first shown and now 19. Talk about waiting for a bus that was never going to make an apperance. 

2. If Versus XIII has been cancelled, what is Square Enix going to do with all that free time. Work on that pitiful excuse of Final Fantasy XIV. No matter how hard they try to improve it, the damage is done. First impressions are what stick with people. Final Fantasy XIV might be good now, heck it might be perfect but people will still think its bad from their first impressions. Also Tetsuya Nomura noted that Kingdom Hearts III would be started when Versus XIII was complete. No word on that either as of yet, which suggests Versus is still in development.

3. A scam~ Kotaku magazine reported this rumour apparently from credible sources. First of all, a lot of people are dying and also impatient to see Versus XIII. This rumour of it being cancelled could be a way of trying to make Square Enix make some sort of announcement about the game or leak some details about it in a hope to reassure fans resulting in details of the game being shown. Which will not work because S.E. are not the type to spill the beans. Gaming magazines are also like tabloids in the sense, they need to fill their pages with rumours and gossip about latest games which most of the time is not true and also to keep readership rates high.

4. Square Enix have a lot to lose by canning this game. Not a lot of fans were impressed with Final Fantasy XIII and didn't stick around for XIII-2. For some XIII-2 was a kick in the face when they specifically requested Versus XIII. Ask Square Enix for chocolate icecream, oh hello vanilla icecream which I didn't ask for. A lot is at stake with this game in terms of Final Fantasy's brand with some of Square Enix staff admitting that FF has been going downhill lately. 

Stella: Noctis have you heard? Noctis: What? Stella: We've apparently become vapourware, our story shall never be told. (sad face) Noctis: I don't give two sh***

There is a chance it could have become vapourware...

Some people are saying if this is true, Square Enix have transferred the content to Final Fantasy XV for a fresh start. One friend of mine called Kaerith, thought this was a wise move seeing the number XIII being damaged by the title Final Fantasy XIII. But I don't like it for two reasons.

1. Final Fantasy Versus XIII was made initially to be a darker Final Fantasy game with blood and violence with gameplay being inspired by Kingdom Hearts. It doesn't feel like a main entry game to me and shouldn't be treated as such and also goes against what Square Enix said initially about the game's concept and it being part of the Fabula Crystallis whatever the heck it was called.

2. Final Fantasy XV should be a brand new game, not something rehashed out of pure laziness that you've been teasing fans for about six years. Its rude and just gah rant over.

"WHAT!!!! NO FFVERSUS XIII!!!! Men I order you to KILL SQUARE ENIX!"

September Square Enix conference 2012

September 2012 is when a lot of new things are going to get announced, including by the looks of things, a Final Fantasy XIII third sequel. I really hope Square Enix release details about Versus XIII because not to be frank but this is beyond ridiculous. Six years and only two trailers and a teaser. If they don't contradict the rumours, it will not do a lot of good for the final fantasy franchise. Other than that, fingers crossed this game has not been canned but I'm not holding my breath for news on it, Type-0 held my breath and passed out and its still not here.

 Vanille is very sad about Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Type-0 not being released as of yet. OH WELL! There's always Final Fantasy XIII-3?!